Lippincott's Magazine of Popular Literature and Science, Volume 17, No. 101, May, 1876Various
History
Lippincott's Magazine of Popular Literature and Science, Volume 17, No. 101, May, 1876
Various
Literature, Modern -- 19th century -- Periodicals; Science -- Periodicals
names are excessively harmonious.
In the first cause which was taken the plaintiff, as I said before,
was not quite satisfied with the decision of his own local magistrate,
and had therefore come here to restate his case. The story was
slightly complicated by the plaintiff having two distinct names by
which he had been known at different times of his life. "Tevula," he
averred, was the name of his boyhood, and the other, "Mazumba," the
name of his manhood. The natives have an unconquerable aversion
to giving their real names, and will offer half a dozen different
aliases, making it very difficult to trace them if they are "wanted,"
and still more difficult to get at the rights of any story they may
have to tell. However, if they are ever frank and open to anybody, it
is to their own minister, who speaks their language as well as they
do themselves, and who fully understands their mode of reasoning and
their habits of mind.
Tevula told his story extremely well, I must say--quietly, but
earnestly, and with, the most perfectly respectful though manly
bearing. He sometimes used graceful and natural gesticulation, but not
a bit more than was needed to give emphasis to his oratory. He was a
strongly-built, tall man, about thirty-five years of age, dressed in
a soldier's great-coat--for it was a damp and drizzling day--had bare
legs and feet, and wore nothing on his head except the curious ring
into which the men weave their hair. So soon as a youth is considered
old enough to assume the duties and responsibilities of manhood
he begins to weave his short crisp hair over a ring of grass which
exactly fits the head, keeping the woolly hair in its place by means
of wax. In time the hair grows perfectly smooth and shining and
regular over this firm foundation, and the effect is as though it were
a ring of jet or polished ebony worn round the brows. Different tribes
slightly vary the size and form of the ring; and in this case it was
easy to see that the defendant belonged to a different tribe, for
his ring was half the size, and worn at the summit of a cone of
combed-back hair which was as thick and close as a cap, and indeed
looked very like a grizzled fez. Anybody in court may ask any
questions he pleases, and in fact what we should call "cross-examine"
a witness, but no one did so whilst I was present. Every one listened
attentively, giving a grunt of interest whenever Tevula made a point;
and this manifestation and sympathy always seemed to gratify him
immensely. But it was plain that, whatever might be the decision of
the minister, who listened closely to every word, asking now and then
a short question--which evidently hit some logical nail right on the
head--they would abide by it, and be satisfied that it was the fairest
and most equitable solution of the subject.
Public-domain text, read in full here on John Shaqi.
Reviews
Reviews
No reviews yet
Be the first to share your thoughts on this work.
Elsewhere in the archive
Join the Discussion
Join the discussion
Sign in to leave a comment or review.
Sign InorCreate an account